Charitable Pursuits

Entrepreneurs give more of their time and wallets to charity
than others, according to a survey by the National Foundation for
Women Business Owners. Nine out of 10 business owners contribute
money to charities, compared with 70 percent of all U.S.
households, says the NFWBO. Nearly 33 percent of business owners
personally contribute $5,000 or more per year, and 70 percent
volunteer for a favorite charity each month. A big tax write-off
isn't their primary motivation: Just over half of business owners
say their philanthropy is mostly related to being socially
responsible; only 8 percent of women and 12 percent of men say it's
done primarily for financial gain. Some 75 percent of entrepreneurs
contribute through their businesses and 39 percent of those with
employees have company policies to encourage volunteerism as well.
Women take the lead in volunteer time: 46 percent of female
entrepreneurs frequently serve on a charitable board or advisory
group compared with 29 percent of men, and 34 percent have helped
plan an event or fund-raiser compared with 25 percent of male
business owners.